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Anna Filly Photography

Anna Filly Photography

Roanoke, Virginia Wedding Photographer specializing in timeless wedding, engagement and lifestyle photos.

Ryan + Kayla | A Baby Announcement !

3 Comments

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One of the things I can’t thank my client’s enough for, is the open invitation to allowing me to be a part of their story.  Each and every day, I photograph normal people in their most extraordinary life moments. A baby being born, a young woman being proposed to, a family taking their yearly Christmas Card photo, a couple committing their lives to each other on their wedding day…  Both big and small, these moments all mean something.  They’re absolutely beautiful.  Every session has a story, and Ryan + Kayla’s is no exception.  Kayla did the honor of pouring her heart out and it is my pleasure to let her take things from here.

***

 

In February of 2014 we started trying to have children. Just like every other couple who starts the family building process, we thought it would be a few shorts months, and we would have our little bundle of joy. However, after many, many months of complications, we finally decided to go see a doctor about the issue. Shortly after, we were referred to a fertility doctor. As soon as I heard that word I thought, “Nope, no way this is happening!“.

After a few months of blood work, ultrasounds, even more blood work and talks with the Doctor, we found out my body did not make a very important hormone it needed to be able to conceive a child. This is called PCOS. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Neither of us had ever heard of it, and neither had anyone in my family. It is a genetic disorder that happens at conception.

So, ever since I was in my mother’s womb, Jesus knew what we would walk though. He was never surprised.

We started the grueling process of fertility treatments in February of 2015, exactly a year after the diagnosis. First it was pills to replace the hormone my body was lacking.  Then, when that was not working, we moved to more aggressive treatment: hormone injections.

Starting in June, I had to give these to myself every night for about two weeks and then have blood work done every few days.  During this process, everything was textbook perfect and we were so hopeful that this time it was going to work. After two rounds of failed attempts with the injections, we decided to give my body, and our bank account, a break. I was also starting a new teaching job and was not able to go through treatment at the time.

Ryan and I began to come to terms with the very real possibility that the Lord may have not willed it for us to be parents to a biological child neither now, nor maybe ever.  Honestly, we did not come to terms with this overnight.  Many, many weeks and months were spent on our knees, crying out to the Lord.  We were broken.  But, we knew that Jesus would never leave us that way.  Somehow, someway, he had the best for us.  Trusting Him like that had never been so hard.   However, his faithfulness never ceases to amaze.

With healing, comes life.  As we began to heal from our idea of a family would look like, we began to see things differently.  The kids in our apartment complex that lacked parental figures, suddenly became lives we desired to invest in.  The kids that I taught in my classroom suddenly became so much more precious to me as well.  Something in Ryan and I decided that if we couldn’t have kids of our own, we would love others as if they were ours.

From day one of this process, our motto has been “It is well with our souls”. That song/saying seemed to show up every time there was a discouraging day, or we would have an appointment that would allow us to know we were not pregnant. Little did we know, he was making it well with our souls.

After about a month of having no treatment whatsoever, or trying for a baby, we got the surprise of our lifetime! On October 1, I (Kayla) first, found out we would be having a little miracle baby! Once I found out I immediately called my doctor because I was so afraid something would be wrong because of my missing hormone. They got me right in, minutes after I found out this incredible news, and did blood work and an ultrasound. As if this news wasn’t already a miracle in itself, the nurses informed me that my body was producing the hormone it was not making before all on its own!

We all literally marveled over the little life inside of me.  Like, I can not even handle the Lord right now!!! How gracious is He? I told my husband the wonderful news later that night after bible study was held in our home, and I think we are still in disbelief 6 weeks later!

We cannot fathom the goodness of Jesus, or why he chose to answer our many, many prayers for this sweet little one, but we are ever so grateful that he did! I love the fact that He allowed us to go through the process of medication to show us exactly what a woman’s body needs to go through to be able to conceive a baby. It is nothing short of a miracle, and that is exactly what he did inside my womb. He is not limited by medication, illness, or anything. He is Lord, and we will continue to praise him for this sweet gift!

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Aren’t Kayla + Ryan gorgeous?!

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Kayla– you are absolutely lovely.

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How cute is their +1 ?!

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These two are inspiring…

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So. much. LOVE.

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Excited to hear about the next steps in Ryan + Kayla’s journey??  Stay tuned!!!!  You’ll be seeing much more of them in the future!  Happy Thursday!!

xo

AnnaFilly

Filed Under: Photography, Portraits

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Catlin Ives says

    November 22, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    Where were all the pictures taken?

    Reply
    • admin says

      November 26, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Spring Hill College 🙂

      Reply
    • Rachel Jones says

      November 30, 2015 at 6:45 pm

      Thank you for sharing your heart Kayla!!! I love y’all and thank you for be such willing vessels.

      Reply

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More about Anna

Hi there! I’m Anna Filly, a Wedding & Portrait photographer in the sweet, deep South. I love hosting dinner parties, sparkling water, & magnifying love through the art of photography. I have a slight obsession with fresh cut flowers, ice cream is my guilty pleasure & crinkling nose laughter is my muse. Grab something sweet & browse the site! I’m so glad you’re here.

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The most darling couple on the dreariest day. 30 m The most darling couple on the dreariest day. 30 minutes of “light sprinkles” of rain, a family home & a dress from Poland. What a sweet session capturing Olivia & Andrew !
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#annafillybrides #annafillyphotography #RoanokeVa
The dreamiest details, the dreamiest memories ✨🤍 #annafillybrides #annafillyphotography
I am a momma of four little ones. Four little live I am a momma of four little ones. Four little lives look to me for comfort, direction & love. It’s the most magical calling. My days are filled with play & discovery & my nights are filled with feedings, reassurances & sleeplessness. I have struggled so much with balance in this season. Is the work/motherhood balance ever perfect ? (Asking for a friend 🙋🏻‍♀️). One thing raising four little kiddos ages 3 & under has taught me is that it all goes by waaaaay to quickly. This season won’t last forever. It won’t be long before Judah starts grade school & Lina starts to walk. Before I know it ,our foster son will be joining a sports team & our foster daughter will crawling. 
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The most meaningful moments are found in what seems to be the most mundane.  Knowing my kids, loving them & growing with them means I must forsake all else & just be with them. To me, that’s what matters most about being a mommy. Letting go of expectations, people pleasing & perfection is the key. 
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I love this season. It’s grown me leaps & bounds. It is such an honor. It’s a joy to be called “mommy”. I have incredible women who have raised me & walked along side me throughout my life. I am so grateful for each of them & all they have taught me. I’m grateful for my foster children’s birth mom. She’s such a beautiful human ! I’m in awe of the moms that I get to do life with & they ways they love their families.  Motherhood is hard & wonderful, selfless & humbling. I have never been more grateful for this little life 🤍
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And to the women yearning to be mommas, I see you. I have been in your shoes. Your yearning is not in vain. And to the ladies broken by their lack of a mother, I love you. You are not alone 🤍
Yesterday was all kinds of wonderful. 🌸✨🌿🍾
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Cait & Brad celebrated their love with their most favorite people in Richmond, Virginia. Bright colors, tender moments & JOY echoed in every detail of their wedding day. It was so much fun capturing them !! 
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I got home at 2am but by golly it was worth it !! 
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Aren’t they cute ?!
#AnnaFillyPhotography #AnnaFillyBrides
Today is gonna be a good day ✨ Congrats to Brad Today is gonna be a good day ✨ Congrats to Brad & Cait on their gorgeous wedding day !! #AnnaFillyPhotography #AnnaFillyBrides
And just like that, we became a family of six. ✨ And just like that, we became a family of six. ✨
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These last two weeks have held so much for our little family. One day I will share all that has happened & I will ooo and ahh over the ways the Lord has been ever faithful. 
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But for now, I will say this: God is gracious & kind. Our family is thrilled to welcome our foster son’s littlest sister into our home. This sweet baby was born one week ago today. I got to be in the delivery room with her momma & cheer her on as she brought this precious baby into the world. She’s so lovely. She looks just like her brother did when he was first born ! The resemblance is breathtaking. 
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Our family is so grateful for these birth parents, for this new life & that our journey with them gets to continue. Foster care is hard, but it is beautiful. I will never stop praising Jesus for asking us to trust him in this way. It has been one of our greatest journeys.
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And in case you’re doing the math, we have four kids, three and under (3, 13 months, 9 months & a newborn) living under one roof 😉
When your bestie finds the love of her life, she s When your bestie finds the love of her life, she sparkles ✨🤍

Karley has been by my side for twenty years. Countless sleepovers, memories & adventures have been woven together to create our sweet friendship. She is the first to pack a bag & be on a plane before you can even ask where she’s going. She’s a snuggle bug, a deep feeler & has the most beautiful appreciation for meaningful things. I love that about her. She has a zeal for whimsy & loves to experience the fullness of life.

Then came Matthew, the kind, well grounded man who swept her off of her feet. Matthew is hospitable, thoughtful, warm & fun. He’s the first to hug you & feed you, offering you company & conversation as you sit at his table.

When Karley fell in love with Matthew, all of her friends did too because he let Karley be exactly who she was, & somehow she became better.

Their friendship has blessed Dave & I so much. I am thrilled to celebrate this season of engagement with them. Soon & very soon these two will be married. You better believe I’ll be laughing & crying that whole entire day !! #annafillybrides
A precious bundle of joy was welcomed into the Wex A precious bundle of joy was welcomed into the Wexler home this month. Little Jack is a dream, with the sweetest temperament. His big brothers are so tender with him & it is such a treasure to capture this family.

Photographing fresh babies never gets old 🤍

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When searching for a wedding photographer never be When searching for a wedding photographer never be afraid to ask for a peek into a full wedding gallery. SO many beautiful details and moments can be found when you look through a wedding day as a whole.  Plus, you get a better idea as to the photographic style & personality of the photographer!

Melanie & Matthew’s wedding day was captured in Point Clear, Alabama at the Grand Hotel. What a beautiful, stunning day full of captivating details & precious moments.

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Merry Christmas !! It’s so crazy to think that t Merry Christmas !! It’s so crazy to think that this time last year we were a family of three and now we are a family of FIVE ! Gods goodness never runs out. Wishing you the most magical holiday with those you love most ✨🥰🎄

A huge thank you to @kaylanchisholmphotography for these beautiful images 🫶🏻

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